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EDITORS’ NOTES

In their own wholesome way, the Carpenters were as seductive as any pop act of their era. Karen Carpenter’s creamy vocals blended purity with a throb of desire; Richard’s arrangements combined sumptuous harmonies with orchestral touches to distinctive effect. The Carpenters were consummate singles artists, and while undeniably designed for mass appeal, there’s an exalted quality to their hits — the romantic pang heard in “Superstar,” “For All We Know,” and “Goodbye to Love” transcends sensuality. Karen’s serene singing makes the marital bliss of “We’ve Only Just Begun” sound rare, even spiritual. She can rhapsodize about a beau in “Top of the World,” wallow in the blues in “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and grapple with angst in “Hurting Each Other” with equal poise. Musically, the duo drew upon Tin Pan Alley, Nashville-style country and Hollywood film scores for input. At their most inspired, the Carpenters seem a world unto themselves, immune to the hip upheavals around them, pursuing a sound of poignant sweetness tinged with yearning. It’s a kind of music that’s never been duplicated and remains a pleasure to hear.

Singles 1969-1981 (Remastered)

EDITORS’ NOTES

In their own wholesome way, the Carpenters were as seductive as any pop act of their era. Karen Carpenter’s creamy vocals blended purity with a throb of desire; Richard’s arrangements combined sumptuous harmonies with orchestral touches to distinctive effect. The Carpenters were consummate singles artists, and while undeniably designed for mass appeal, there’s an exalted quality to their hits — the romantic pang heard in “Superstar,” “For All We Know,” and “Goodbye to Love” transcends sensuality. Karen’s serene singing makes the marital bliss of “We’ve Only Just Begun” sound rare, even spiritual. She can rhapsodize about a beau in “Top of the World,” wallow in the blues in “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and grapple with angst in “Hurting Each Other” with equal poise. Musically, the duo drew upon Tin Pan Alley, Nashville-style country and Hollywood film scores for input. At their most inspired, the Carpenters seem a world unto themselves, immune to the hip upheavals around them, pursuing a sound of poignant sweetness tinged with yearning. It’s a kind of music that’s never been duplicated and remains a pleasure to hear.

Ratings and Reviews

4.5 out of 5

132 Ratings

132 Ratings

This Is A Greatest Hits Prototype

Oct 27, 2005

a song 4u

This set eclipses the original singles set released in 1973. Originally, this set was to feature the original two-track album elements, no remixes, but instead was released with what Richard feels are the best versions. Thae mastering here is incredible, this project was recently released for the SACD market and streamlined, the surround sound version features "Merry Christmas Darling" and "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft." "Sing" was remixed for the 1994 import version of "Interpretations" and is featured here, this remix freshens up the arrangement a bit. All the other remixes hail from "From The Top." The song "I Wont Last A Day Without You" may seem a bit longer, Richard recorded a piano "tag" at the end of this song as a lead in and crossfade to "Close To You." It gives this cd a bit more cohesion and a "finished" feel. This cd ends at 1981 with their last top twenty and if "Voice Of The Heart" boasted a top twenty hit, there wouldn't be room for it, this disc is stuffed.

This Is A Greatest Hits Prototype

Oct 27, 2005

a song 4u

This set eclipses the original singles set released in 1973. Originally, this set was to feature the original two-track album elements, no remixes, but instead was released with what Richard feels are the best versions. Thae mastering here is incredible, this project was recently released for the SACD market and streamlined, the surround sound version features "Merry Christmas Darling" and "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft." "Sing" was remixed for the 1994 import version of "Interpretations" and is featured here, this remix freshens up the arrangement a bit. All the other remixes hail from "From The Top." The song "I Wont Last A Day Without You" may seem a bit longer, Richard recorded a piano "tag" at the end of this song as a lead in and crossfade to "Close To You." It gives this cd a bit more cohesion and a "finished" feel. This cd ends at 1981 with their last top twenty and if "Voice Of The Heart" boasted a top twenty hit, there wouldn't be room for it, this disc is stuffed.

My All-time favourite

Mar 6, 2006

Cora73

The Carpenters has always been my all-time favorite. I just love Karen's soft voice-- simply beautiful!

This is definitely one of their best album.

My All-time favourite

Mar 6, 2006

Cora73

The Carpenters has always been my all-time favorite. I just love Karen's soft voice-- simply beautiful!

This is definitely one of their best album.

Karen is an Angel and her voice sounds like one, too!

May 1, 2006

larbear

She may be gone but her voice will always be here! Every time I hear her voice, I still get goosebumps, as do so many! I've heard them all so many times but I never get sick of hearing these songs! When you're down or just want to relax, put these songs on and just stare off into space! They will put a warm feeling into that old heart of yours!

Karen is an Angel and her voice sounds like one, too!

May 1, 2006

larbear

She may be gone but her voice will always be here! Every time I hear her voice, I still get goosebumps, as do so many! I've heard them all so many times but I never get sick of hearing these songs! When you're down or just want to relax, put these songs on and just stare off into space! They will put a warm feeling into that old heart of yours!

About Carpenters

With their light, airy melodies and meticulously crafted, clean arrangements that appealed to a variety of audiences, the Carpenters stood in direct contrast with the excessive, gaudy pop/rock of the '70s; yet they became one of the most popular artists of the decade, scoring 12 Top Ten hits, including three number one singles. Karen Carpenter's calm, pretty voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. Though their popularity began to fade as the '70s progressed, the duo continued to make music together until Karen's tragic death in 1983.

The Carpenters formed in the late '60s in Downey, California, after their family moved from their native New Haven, Connecticut. Richard had played piano with a cocktail jazz trio in a handful of local Connecticut nightclubs. Once the family had moved to California, he began to study piano while he supported Karen in a trio that featured Wes Jacobs (tuba/bass). With Jacobs and Richard forming her backup band, Karen was signed to the local California record label Magic Lamp, who released two unsuccessful singles by the singer. The trio won a Battle of the Bands contest at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966, which led to a record contract with RCA. Signing under the name the Richard Carpenter Trio, the group cut four songs that were never released. Jacobs left the band at the beginning of 1968.

Following Jacobs' departure, the siblings formed Spectrum with Richard's college friend John Bettis. Spectrum fell apart by the end of the year, but the Carpenters continued performing as a duo. The pair recorded some demos at the house of Los Angeles session musician Joe Osborn; the tape was directed toward Herb Alpert, the head of A&M Records, who signed the duo to his record label in early 1969.

Offering, the Carpenters' first album, was released in November 1969. Neither Offering nor the accompanying single, a cover of the Beatles' "Ticket to Ride," made a big impression. However, the Carpenters' fortunes changed with their second single, a version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "(They Long to Be) Close to You." Taken from the album Close to You, the single became the group's first number one, spending four weeks on the top of the U.S. charts. "Close to You" became an international hit, beginning a five-year period where the duo was one of the most popular recording acts in the world. During that period the Carpenters won two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist of 1970, and had an impressive string of Top Ten hits, including "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Superstar," "Hurting Each Other," "Goodbye to Love," "Yesterday Once More," and "Top of the World."

After 1975's number four hit "Only Yesterday," the group's popularity began to decline. For the latter half of the '70s, the duo were plagued by personal problems. Richard had become addicted to prescription drugs; in 1978, he entered a recovery clinic, kicking his habit. Karen, meanwhile, became afflicted with anorexia nervosa, a disease she suffered from for the rest of her life. On top of their health problems, the group's singles had stopped reaching the Top Ten and by 1978, they weren't even reaching the Top 40. Consequently, Karen decided to pursue a solo career, recording a solo album in 1979 with Phil Ramone; the record was never completed and she returned to the Carpenters later that year. The reunited duo released their last album of new material, Made in America, in 1981. The album marked a commercial comeback, as "Touch Me When We're Dancing" made it to number 16 on the charts. However, Karen's health continued to decline, forcing the duo out of the spotlight. On February 4, 1983, Karen was found unconscious at her parents' home in Downey; she died in the hospital that morning from a cardiac arrest, caused by her anorexia.

After Karen's death, Richard Carpenter concentrated on production work and assembling various compilations of the Carpenters' recorded work. In 1987, he released a solo album called Time, which featured guest appearances by Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine